WASPS revived their second division promotion challenge with a comprehensive win on the south coast on Monday.
All the goals came in the first half with Ben Burns netting twice to make it four in as many games for the
teenage striker. Grinstead have five games left and they know that if they managed to win them all they would
definitely be playing first division football next season. It's a tall order, as boss Bob Smith admitted after
Monday's win, and the crunch game is likely to be this Friday's showdown with second placed Hailsham at East
Court (ko 6.45pm). Hailsham's 2-1 defeat by Southwick on Saturday has left the door open for Grinstead and
they certainly looked in the mood on Monday after a week without a game to recharge their batteries. Before
Hailsham's visit Grinstead visit Oakwood tonight (Wednesday, 7.45pm). Three of their final four games are at
home with Shoreham visiting East Court next Tuesday (6.45pm). Two days later they go to Wealden before the
final game against Storrington. This match was called off last Wednesday due to a waterlogged pitch and is
likely to be re-arranged for Monday, May 21.

Grinstead's injury problems are also clearing up. Both Steve Greig and Roger Gualtieri returned to the squad
at Bosham and Andy Rabbetts may be available for Hailsham's visit. Smith said:"There is still a lot to do, but we have given ourselves a chance. "The Hailsham game is obviously very
important and hopefully we will get a good crowd at East Court to support us. "We played well on Monday,
especially in the first half. The energy which had been missing from a few of our performances returned, the
week's rest we have had since the Shinewater game has obviously helped."

GRINSTEAD Reserves picked up seven points from three games over the holiday, but their promotion challenge
from the East Division remains in the balance. In Saturday's top of the table clash with Hailsham a
controversial penalty robbed them of victory in a 1-1 draw after John Richardson had put his side ahead.
Wasps beat Redhill 3-0 at East Court on Monday and won 2-0 at Newhaven last Thursday, but last Tuesday's
match at Shinewater was called off. The league have ruled that all games postponed after April 15 will not
be rescheduled because of the fixture congestion and a 0-0 draw would count as the result. Grinstead are
hoping to get the league to change their mind because wins in their last two matches would leave them a point
short of the promotion places.

[Monday, 30th April 2001]

MANAGER Bob Smith believes Wasps' grueling end of season schedule may cost them promotion. Successive league
defeats by Crawley Down and Westfield means Grinstead now need the teams above them in the County League
second division to slip up if they are to finish in the top three.
The 2-1 setback at Westfield came in Grinstead's eighth game in 15 days and they still have another seven
league matches to play before the season ends on May 16. That run-in began on Monday when Wasps faced
Shinewater at East Court. Smith said:"Perhaps it was a reaction to the cup semi-final defeat against Oving, but we looked very tired against
Crawley Down last Thursday and lacked our usual energy. "We played better on Saturday on a terrible pitch,
but we gave away two stupid penalties and that has cost us."

Injuries are also beginning to take their toll. Andy Rabbetts' comeback after a thigh injury lasted just
five minutes while Roger Gualtieri limped off with a hamstring strain in the second half. Kevin Wright and
Steve Greig are also struggling because of niggling injuries. With another home game against Shinewater
Tonight (6.30pm) Smith may take the opportunity to rest some of his tired squad and give the likes of
Richard Whale and Ben Burns an opportunity.
Smith hasn't ruled out promotion yet, but he admits the teams above Grinstead would have to slip up. He
added:"All we can do is try and win all our remaining games and see where we finish. I don't want the season
to end on a low note after all that we have achieved and I don't think the players do either."
Wasps have no game this Saturday. Next Monday (May 7) they visit Bosham, 12noon kick off.

CRAWLEY DOWN 1, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 0 - Full match report here.
A BATTLING performance by the home side eased their relegation worries while dealing Wasps' promotion hopes
a big blow in the local derby at the Haven last Thursday.

WESTFIELD 2, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 1 - Full match report here.
GRINSTEAD'S promotion push suffered another potentially fatal blow on Saturday after Westfield came from
behind to win with two needlessly conceded penalties.

GRINSTEAD Reserves revived their promotion challenge in the East Division with an excellent 2-1 win over
their closest rivals Hailsham. Goals from Ben Burns and Damian Cherry did the trick and now Ian Lindsay's
side are right back in the hunt with trips to Shinewater (Tuesday) and Newhaven (Thursday) this week.

[Tuesday, 24th April 2001]

OVING 2, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 1 - Full match report here.
TWO moments of defensive indecision meant heartbreak for Grinstead in the Division Two Cup semi-final on
Monday night.

WORTHING UNITED 0, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 2 - Full match report here.
EAST GRINSTEAD Town reeled off a sixth successive win at promotion rivals Worthing United on Saturday to
move another step closer to the first division. Five of those victories have come in the last fortnight and
there is a growing feeling at East Court that Wasps' momentum could carry them all the way back to the top
flight. First half goals from Scott Woolley and Roger Gualtieri seriously dented United's hopes and Wasps go
into Thursday's local derby at Crawley Down (ko 6.30pm) knowing that victory could move them level on points
with Broadbridge Heath who currently fill the third promotion spot.

Grinstead have games in hand on all the sides above them, but with 27 points still to play for manager Bob
Smith is certainly not counting his chickens just yet. But even he could not fail to recognise the
significance of Saturday's win at United - their first there since their last promotion campaign eight years
ago. Smith said:"There is a real feeling among the players that we can go all the way and win promotion. "All I would say
is that we have nine extremely difficult games to play and if we win them all we will definitely go up, but
there is still a lot of work to be done. Saturday was a massive result for us because, like Broadbridge Heath
the week before, it came against one of our rivals. We played really well and once we scored twice in the
first 25 minutes I always felt we would go on and win the game."

The matches are coming thick and fast at the moment, but tiredness and injuries are never a problem when a
side are enjoying the sort of run Grinstead are at the moment. On Saturday Wasps make the long trip to
Westfield (ko 3.00pm) before two home games in the space of three days next week. On Monday Shinewater are
the visitors with Storrington due at East Court on Wednesday. Both games will kick off at 6.30pm because
work on installing the new floodlights, which has been delayed for two months by bad weather, is not
scheduled to start until Wednesday. Providing everyone comes through unscathed from Monday's Division Two
Cup semi-final, Smith will have his full squad available with the exception of defender Andy Rabbetts who
limped off in his 101st appearance for the club against Crawley Down last Thursday with a thigh strain.
Rabbetts could be sidelined for some time, but at least Steve Greig, who missed the 4-0 win over Down with
a swollen foot, was able to return on Saturday, although he did go off in the second half.

GRINSTEAD'S Reserves suffered a major setback in their bid for promotion from the East Division after a 2-1
home defeat against Shinewater on Saturday. The visitors, who were playing their third game in three days,
won with two goals either side of defender Dean Bather's rare strike just before half-time. Wasps' treasurer
Lester Medcalf had to referee the game when the appointed official failed to turn up. There was more
controversy last Wednesday when the home match against Newhaven Reserves had to be abandoned with 20 minutes
left because of bad light with the score 1-1. The game had kicked off over 20 minutes after the scheduled
6.15pm kick off because of the late arrival of the Newhaven team. Matt Garrett was the home scorer, but the
match will now be rescheduled. The reserves face a crucial test at second-placed Hailsham this Saturday
(ko 3.00pm). Next week they have two away games at Shinewater on Tuesday and Newhaven on Thursday, both kick
off at 6.30pm.

GRINSTEAD'S under-18s suffered a 3-1 defeat in Sunday's League Cup semi-final at Peacehaven. The Wasps rarely
played to their capabilities and fell 2-0 behind with 10 minutes left when Ben Burns pulled one back after
Dale Lindsey's shot had hit the post. Wasps pressed for an equaliser, but conceded a third on the breakaway
after losing possession at their own corner.

[Thursday, 20th April 2001]

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 4, CRAWLEY DOWN 0 - Full match report here.
WASPS strengthened their promotion bid with a third win in five days in the County League second division
on Thursday night.
Grinstead beat local rivals Crawley Down 4-0 at East Court with four of their midfielders on target.
Kevin Wright opened the scoring on 17 minutes and Stuart Hardy (29) and Dave Garrett (34) had effectively
settled the contest with further goals before half-time.
Dave Gellatly's superb shot two minutes after the break made it 4-0 and Wasps had countless other chances
to improve their goal difference.

THE reserves' match with Newhaven on Wednesday night will have to be replayed after it was abandoned 20
minutes from time at 1-1 because of bad light. The game kicked off 20 minutes late due to the late arrival
of the Newhaven team.

THIS WEEKEND...
Saturday - First team away to Worthing United in a crucial league game, kick off 3.00pm.
Reserves looking to improve their promotion chances with a home win over Shinewater, kick off 3.00pm.
Sunday - The under-18s are away to Peacehaven in the semi-final of the County Youth League Cup, ko 11am

MONDAY APRIL 23, KICK OFF 7.30pm
DIVISION TWO CUP SEMI-FINAL
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN v OVING
at Burgess Hill FC
Be there - we'd love to have as many supporters as possible cheering us on!

[Wednesday, 18th April 2001]

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 2, OAKWOOD 0 - Full match report here.
WASPS had extra reason to celebrate after completing their hectic Easter programme with a third win in
four days on Monday.

[Tuesday, 17th April 2001]

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 4, BROADBRIDGE HEATH 2 - Full match report here.
James Hylton was the toast of East Court on Easter Saturday after a superb four-goal salvo from the
Grinstead striker kept his side in touch with the leaders in County League Division Two.

STORRINGTON 0, EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 4 - Full match report here.
The strength in depth in Bob Smith's Grinstead squad was evident on Friday when he was able to rest several
first team players and still make comfortable progress into the quarter-final of the Division Two Cup.

Grinstead are in the second promotion place in Reserve Section East despite only drawing with fellow
promotion chasers Lewes on Saturday.
After the 1-1 draw the County League announced that both Wealden and Lingfield had withdrawn their reserve
teams because of fixture congestion.
As Wasps have yet to play either team, they pick up 12 points from the four games awarded to them, elevating
them to second place and also relieving some of their own acute fixture worries.
Roger Dart was Grinstead's goalscorer against Lewes while Hailsham's defeat to champions-elect Peacehaven
was another boost to their hopes of going up.
THE third team lost 4-1 at Lewes Rovers on Saturday in Mid Sussex League Division Two, Sam Betteridge
getting their consolation goal.

[Thursday, 12th April 2001]

GRINSTEAD strengthened their challenge for promotion from the Reserve Section East with a 3-0 win over
Crawley Down at East Court last night in their first game for nearly a month.
Dave Gellatly headed Wasps ahead midway through the first half before Chris Pleon made it 2-0 five
minutes later with a low shot from the left-hand side of the box.
Pleon completed the scoring ten minutes from time after a pass from Phil Thompson caused confusion in
the visitors' defence.
The reserves' next game is on Saturday when they play the side immediately above them, Lewes, at the
Dripping Pan, ko 3.00pm.
..The first team are in action on Good Friday morning when they travel to Storrington in the second round
of the Division Two Cup, ko 11am.

[Wednesday, 11th April 2001]

Last night's (Tuesday) game against Lingfield was postponed - but Wasps will still get the three
points. The game was switched to East Court because Lingfield's pitch was unplayable, but match referee
John Pike called the game off at 6.15pm, 15 minutes after the scheduled start, because Lingfield only had
SEVEN players. Wasps will pick up the points while Lingfield face a fine for not fulfilling the fixture.
Tonight (Wed) the reserves entertain Crawley Down, kick off 6.00pm. First teamers Stuart Hardy, Dave
Gellatly and Dave Garrett are all expected to have a run out in a bid to get some more match fitness ahead
of the busy Easter programme.

[Monday, 9th April 2001]

MONDAY nightâs (April 9) reserve game between
Grinstead and Ringmer at East Court was postponed because Ringmer
were unable to raise a side for the 6.00pm kick off.
The third team match against East Grinstead Mariners
has also been called off because of a waterlogged pitch.